Family Medicine Residency Faculty
You’ll train alongside our distinguished physicians who are committed to your development and the advancement of Family Medicine.
Meet our residency leaders & faculty
Our exceptional faculty members are committed to providing the highest-quality training and patient care. We leverage our vast professional experience and varied medical interests to provide dynamic learning opportunities that emphasize evidence-based medicine. With our guidance and support, you’ll be inspired, empowered and prepared to practice comprehensive family medicine in your community. We look forward to partnering with you.
Heidi Allred, MD
Dr. Allred is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and the program director of the Gundersen Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Allred is passionate about creating the best possible residency experience for her residents and is deeply committed to advocacy and community engagement. She fosters a supportive learning environment that empowers residents to grow into skilled, compassionate family physicians. Her clinical passions include gender-affirming care and lactation medicine.
Dr. Allred completed the Rural Physician Associate Program at the University of Minnesota during medical school and was a chief resident during her residency training at the University of California San Diego. She completed the WWAMI Network’s Family Medicine Faculty Development Fellowship in 2019 and she is also a fellow of the National Institute for Program Director Development. Dr. Allred is thrilled to lead the Family Medicine Residency here at Gundersen and is loving life back in the Midwest.
When not at work, Dr. Allred loves being outdoors with her family. Her favorite activities include camping, hiking, canoeing, and in the winter, cross-country and downhill skiing.
Faculty
Elizabeth "Libby" Abbas, DO
Dr. Abbas is board-certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine and in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians.
Dr. Abbas is a core faculty member for Gundersen's Family Medicine Residency and serves as the Osteopathic site director. She practices full-spectrum family medicine (including obstetrics) and leads the Medication Assisted Treatment program for opioid use disorder at the residency. She has special interests in OMM/OMT, addiction medicine, integrative medicine and women’s health, especially obstetrics and family planning. Before joining the residency program, she practiced full-scope family medicine in rural Iowa.
Dr. Abbas received her medical degree and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Pre-Doctoral Fellowship at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency at Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency in Augusta, Maine.
In her free time, Dr. Abbas enjoys mountain biking and endurance racing, playing music (especially harmonica) with her husband Nick, practicing yoga and outdoor adventures of any kind with her Doberman.
Allison Allmon Dixson, PhD
Dr. Allmon Dixson is the section chair of Integrated Care, a Pediatric Psychologist and Behavioral Health Consultant, and Gundersen Family Medicine Residency’s Behavioral Health faculty.
Dr. Allmon Dixson has a passion for primary care behavioral health and serving children, adolescents and families who might not otherwise receive behavioral medicine services. At the residency, she precepts, teaches and supports Family Medicine residents.
Dr. Allmon Dixson earned her PhD in counseling psychology from The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. She was the chief resident during her residency training at Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, where she specialized in pediatric psychology and integrated care. She completed her fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center and Janet Weiss Children’s Hospital, Danville, Penn. Dr. Allmon Dixson is privileged to continue to learn and grow as a faculty member. She is excited to share early prevention and behavioral health knowledge with family medicine students.
When not at work, Dr. Allmon Dixson has many hobbies, most of which involve her children and partner. She loves hiking, reading, thrifting, fruit and vegetable gardening, traveling and supporting her children in their interests.
Robyn Borge, MD
Dr. Borge is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and is a Gundersen vice president. Dr. Borge previously acted as the Family Medicine Residency Program Director. She has also served as Gundersen's Chief of Medical and Clinical Staff, and as a Gundersen Medical Governor, sitting on the Board of Trustees for the Bellin-Gundersen Health System. Dr. Borge has been active in community service and volunteers as medical director for the La Crosse County Health Department, volunteer physician at St. Clare Health Mission and board member for the Wisconsin Medical Society.
Dr. Borge is a graduate of the University of North Dakota Medical School. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at the La Crosse-Mayo Family Medicine Residency Program in La Crosse, Wis. Dr. Borge is a fellow of the National Institute for Program Director Development.
Dr. Borge’s special interests include pediatrics, women's health, quality improvement and practice management. At home, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing volleyball and spending time at the lake.
Caitlin Hill, MD
Dr. Hill recently moved to La Crosse from Washington state where she had worked for the last seven years in a FQHC-based family medicine residency. Dr. Hill received her bachelor’s in science dual degree in Anthropology and Biology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She is a graduate of University of Minnesota Medical School, Twin Cities. She completed her residency at the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Baraboo RTT. After residency she completed an OB fellowship with Essentia Health in Duluth, Minn.
Dr. Hill’s passion for her work comes from sharing her love of rural full scope family medicine practice, particularly her love for women’s health and obstetric care, and dedication to teaching future family physicians who will help cement the partnership between patient and doctor as the cornerstone of medicine and community health. Outside of medicine, she loves hiking, baking and being wild with her family. She is excited to be back in the badger state and with Gundersen Medical Foundation’s Family Medicine Residency Program.
Kristine Johnson, MD
Dr. Johnson is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who practices full-spectrum family medicine with obstetrics. She has special interests in rural medicine, women’s health (especially obstetrics), obesity medicine, community medicine and medical education.
Dr. Johnson completed the Rural Physician Associate Program at the University of Minnesota during medical school and was the academic chief resident during her residency training at North Colorado Family Medicine Residency in Greeley, Colo. After residency, she spent five years practicing full-spectrum rural medicine including obstetrics and nursing home care in Baraboo, Wis.
Outside of work, Dr. Johnson enjoys being active outdoors with her family (husband and two children), trying out different international recipes with her husband, attending musical theater performances and exploring new places.
John Porter, DO
Dr. Porter is an osteopathic family physician, board-certified by both the American Board of Family Medicine as well as the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice. He practices full-spectrum Family Medicine without obstetrics and has special interests in Osteopathic Manipulative Technique, acupuncture and minor office procedures.
Dr. Porter attended medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed residency training at the University of Wisconsin Madison in 2006. Prior to joining Gundersen's Family Medicine Residency, he practiced rural family medicine for over 16 years in both the outpatient and inpatient setting.
Dr. Porter's other passions include spending time with his wife, Chelsea, and their 5 children. They love taking road trips together to go camping and have beach vacations. At home, they enjoy gardening and preparing from-scratch gourmet meals. His favorite hobby is fly fishing with a particular love of salt water fly fishing.
Community preceptors
Kimberly Coyne, MD
More about Dr. Coyne
Laura Jacobson, MD
More about Dr. Jacobson
Dennis Spano, MD
More about Dr. Spano
Daniel Sutton, MD
More about Dr. Sutton
Chad Thurman, MD
More about Dr. Thurman
Christopher Tookey, MD
More about Dr. Tookey
Devin Wenrich, MD
More about Dr. Wenrich
Other team members
Kallie McGettigan, PA-C
Kallie is our clinic’s outstanding physician assistant. She sees acute patients for the clinic and has practiced at the clinic since 2015. Kallie grew up in the La Crosse area so she has great familiarity with the community, its geography and resources.
Kallie graduated from Carroll University with her master’s degree in physician assistant studies in 2013.
In her free time, Kallie enjoys baking, reading and traveling.
Brooke Gardner, MSW
Brooke is a behavioral health consultant in the Gundersen Family Medicine Residency serving all patients of the clinic. She helps support our residents and faculty in their treatment of patients by providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time. She has special interests in patients who have experienced trauma and is equally interested in increasing access to care.
Brooke completed her education at Winona State University and University of Wisconsin Madison in clinical social work. She has worked in child protective services, private practice at a local therapy office and Gundersen’s inpatient behavioral health setting. Most recently, she worked in the Crime Victim Service department at Gundersen providing free-of-charge psychotherapy to individuals impacted by sexual violence before transitioning to the residency clinic. Brooke teaches a practicum and seminar class at Winona State University to newly graduating social work majors, as well.
When she is not working, Brooke enjoys reading, traveling, drawing and painting. She likes to be with her dog and spend time outside frisbee golfing, hiking, biking, running and more.
Why Gundersen
Call La Crosse Home
We have it all in La Crosse, Wis. Our vibrant city and region support your dream lifestyle with a welcoming community, culture and outdoor adventure.
Housing
Steps from our flagship medical center in La Crosse, our housing options allow you to enjoy the company of your family and the comradery of your colleagues.
Prioritizing Your Wellness
As you learn how to become the clinician you aspire to be, we’ll provide space to prioritize your mind and body wellness, and reach the work-life balance you need.